Suspension system

ABSTRACT

A laundry appliance includes a cabinet frame that defines a receiving aperture. A tub is disposed within the cabinet frame. A suspension support includes an engagement portion. The engagement portion includes an ejection surface sloping in a first direction and an assembling surface sloping in a second opposing direction to a retaining notch. A suspension rod extends between the tub and the suspension support and has a hook for selectively engaging the assembling surface in an installed position and selectively engaging the ejection surface in a misaligned position.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a suspension system, andmore specifically, to a suspension system for a laundry appliance.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a laundry applianceincludes a cabinet frame that defines a receiving aperture. A tub isdisposed within the cabinet frame. A suspension support includes anengagement portion. The engagement portion includes an ejection surfacesloping in a first direction and an assembling surface sloping in asecond opposing direction to a retaining notch. A suspension rod extendsbetween the tub and the suspension support and has a hook forselectively engaging the assembling surface in an installed position andselectively engaging the ejection surface in a misaligned position.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a suspensionsystem for a laundry appliance includes a suspension rod having a hookwith an end. A suspension support has an ejection surface sloping in afirst direction to a disengaging exit path and an assembling surfacesloping in a second opposing direction to a retaining notch. When thehook engages the ejection surface, the hook is configured to slide alongthe ejection surface to the disengaging exit path and when the hookengages the assembling surface, the hook is configured to slide alongthe assembling surface to position the end of the hook in the retainingnotch.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a suspensionsupport includes a base. An engagement portion includes an ejectionsurface sloping in a first direction. The ejection surface is divided bya channel that defines a disengaging exit path. An engagement portionincludes an assembling surface sloping in a second opposing direction.The assembling surface is divided by a retention feature. A retainingnotch is defined by at least one of the base and the engagement portionproximate the retention feature.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the presentdisclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilledin the art by reference to the following specification, claims, andappended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a laundry appliance, according tothe present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a suspension system supporting a tubof the laundry appliance of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial top perspective view of the suspension system ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a suspension rod engaged with asuspension support of a laundry appliance suspension system, accordingto the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a suspension support of a laundryappliance suspension system, according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a suspension rod selectivelyengaging an ejection surface of a suspension support, according to thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the selective engagement between thesuspension rod and the ejection surface of the FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the suspension rod disengaged fromthe suspension support of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a suspension rod selectivelyengaging an assembling surface of a suspension support, according to thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the selective engagement between thesuspension rod and the assembling surface of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of the suspension rod engaged with thesuspension support of FIG. 9 in an installed position; and

FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of a suspension support of a laundryappliance suspension system, according to the present disclosure.

The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasisinstead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations ofmethod steps and apparatus components related to a suspension system fora laundry appliance. Accordingly, the apparatus components and methodsteps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbolsin the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinentto understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not toobscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the descriptionherein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings representlike elements.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in FIG. 1. Unlessstated otherwise, the term “front” shall refer to the surface of theelement closer to an intended viewer, and the term “rear” shall refer tothe surface of the element further from the intended viewer. However, itis to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternativeorientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It isalso to be understood that the specific devices and processesillustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the followingspecification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive conceptsdefined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and otherphysical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed hereinare not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly stateotherwise.

The terms “including,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variationthereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that aprocess, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elementsdoes not include only those elements but may include other elements notexpressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, orapparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises a . . . ” does not,without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identicalelements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprisesthe element.

Referring to FIGS. 1-12, reference numeral 10 generally designates alaundry appliance that includes a cabinet frame 14 that defines areceiving aperture 18. A tub 22 is disposed within the cabinet frame 14.A suspension support 26 includes an engagement portion 30. Theengagement portion 30 includes an ejection surface 34 sloping in a firstdirection and an assembling surface 38 sloping in a second opposingdirection to a retaining notch 42. A suspension rod 46 extends betweenthe tub 22 and the suspension support 26 and has a hook 50 thatselectively engages the assembling surface 38 in an installed position40 and selectively engages the ejection surface 34 in a misalignedposition.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the laundry appliance 10 is illustrated as atop-load washer. The laundry appliance 10 includes a cabinet 54 having aplurality of panels 58. The plurality of panels 58 extend around thecabinet frame 14 to define the cabinet 54. A door 70 is rotatablycoupled with a top panel 66 for selectively sealing and providing accessto the tub 22 disposed within an interior cavity 74 of the cabinet 54.The top panel 66 is configured to be disposed over an upper surface 78of the cabinet frame 14 and can conceal the upper surface 78 of thecabinet frame 14 from view of a user. An access opening defined in thetop panel 66 aligns with a tub opening 82 to provide access to a drum 86disposed within the tub 22.

The laundry appliance 10 includes brackets 90 coupled to the cabinetframe 14 near the upper surface 78. As illustrated in FIG. 2, thelaundry appliance 10 includes four brackets 90, where each bracket 90 isdisposed proximate a corresponding corner 94 of the cabinet frame 14.The laundry appliance 10 includes a suspension system 98 for supportingthe tub 22 within the cabinet 54. The suspension system 98 includessuspension rods 46 that each engage a corresponding suspension support26. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the suspension system 98 includes foursuspension rods 46 that each engage one of four suspension supports 26.The suspension supports 26 are each disposed within the receivingaperture 18 (FIG. 3) defined by a corresponding bracket 90. In this way,each corner 94 of the cabinet frame 14 includes the suspension support26. In various examples, the suspension rods 46 each extend between alower portion 106 of the tub 22 and the corresponding suspension support26. The suspension rods 46 support the tub 22 within the cabinet 54while allowing independent movement of the tub 22 relative to thecabinet 54.

Referring to FIGS. 3-5, each of the suspension supports 26 includes abase 110 and the engagement portion 30 extending from the base 110. Thebase 110 engages the corresponding bracket 90 to retain the suspensionsupport 26 on the bracket 90. According to various aspects, each of thebrackets 90 may define a depression 114 for supporting the base 110 ofthe suspension support 26. The depressions 114 may provide additionalsupport for the corresponding suspension supports 26 and may limitmovement of the suspension supports 26. Each of the suspension supports26 typically includes a protrusion 118 extending from the base 110 in anopposite direction of the engagement portion 30. The protrusion 118 canextend through the receiving aperture 18 defined by the bracket 90. Whenassembled, each of the suspension rods 46 extends through thecorresponding protrusion 118, such that the suspension support 26 canprovide additional support to the suspension rod 46 and reduce movementof the suspension rod 46.

In various examples, the suspension supports 26 each define a channel126 that extends through the engagement portion 30 and the base 110. Theprotrusion 118 of each suspension support 26 typically defines a slot130 that allows an interior 134 of the protrusion 118 to be in fluidcommunication with the channel 126 of the same suspension support 26.Stated differently, the protrusion 118 is substantially hollow toaccommodate the suspension rod 46. To assemble the suspension rods 46with the suspension supports 26, each suspension rod 46 can be movedthrough the channel 126 of the corresponding suspension support 26,through the slot 130, and into the interior 134 of the protrusion 118.The protrusion 118 typically at least partially surrounds the suspensionrod 46 when assembled with the suspension support 26. This engagementbetween the protrusion 118 and the suspension rod 46 can provideadditional stability and support to the suspension rod 46. Additionallyor alternatively, the protrusion 118 limits movement of the suspensionrod 46 when assembled with the suspension support 26. When thesuspension supports 26 are assembled with the cabinet frame 14, arounded bottom surface 136 of the base 110 of each suspension support 26is typically supported within the depression 114 of the correspondingbracket 90. The protrusion 118 extends through the receiving aperture 18defined in the depression 114. Each suspension rod 46 extends from thelower portion 106 (FIG. 2) of the tub 22, through the correspondingreceiving aperture 18 to couple with the suspension supports 26.

Referring to FIGS. 6-11, the engagement portion 30 of the suspensionsupport 26 includes the ejection surface 34 sloping in the firstdirection and the assembling surface 38 sloping in the second opposingdirection. Each of the ejection surface 34 and the assembling surface 38slope from an apex 138 toward an outer edge 142 of the base 110. Stateddifferently, the apex 138 is positioned between the ejection surface 34and the assembling surface 38. In this way, the ejection surface 34extends in the first direction from the apex 138 and the assemblingsurface 38 extends in the second opposing direction from the apex 138.

Referring to FIGS. 6-8, the ejection surface 34 defines a disengagingexit path 146 for disengaging the suspension rod 46 from the suspensionsupport 26 when in the misaligned position. The ejection surface 34 maybe a substantially smooth, angled surface, such that the ejectionsurface 34 slopes in a substantially consistent manner from the apex 138to the outer edge 142. According to various aspects, the channel 126 atleast partially defines the disengaging exit path 146. The disengagingexit path 146 and the channel 126 are defined along a central axis a ofthe engagement portion 30 of the suspension support 26. In variousexamples, the ejection surface 34 is divided by the channel 126 intofirst and second ejection portions 150, 154. The first and secondejection portions 150, 154 are substantially mirror images of oneanother relative to the central axis a.

Each of the suspension rods 46 includes a substantially linear portion158 that extends through the corresponding channel 126. Additionally,each of the suspension rods 46 defines the hook 50 in an end portionthereof. An end 166 of each hook 50 selectively engages one of theejection surface 34 or the assembling surface 38. As illustrated inFIGS. 6-8, the end 166 of the hook 50 selectively engages the ejectionsurface 34 when in the misaligned position. When the hook 50 selectivelyengages the ejection surface 34, the hook 50 is configured to slidealong the ejection surface 34 to the disengaging exit path 146 todisengage from the suspension support 26. A slope angle of the ejectionsurface 34 along with a gravitational pulling force applied to thesuspension rod 46 by a weight of the tub 22 (FIG. 2) operates to movethe suspension rod 46 along the disengaging exit path 146 to completelydisengage from the suspension support 26. In this way, if the suspensionrod 46 is in the misaligned position relative to the suspension support26, the suspension rod 46 can automatically disengage from thesuspension support 26. Moreover, during manufacturing and assembling,the ejection surface 34 provides for a substantially immediate visualand also auditory and tactile feedback of misalignment of the suspensionrod 46, which may be advantageous for preventing a misaligned suspensionsystem 98 from proceeding through the assembly process.

When the suspension rod 46 is misaligned with the suspension support 26,the end 166 of the hook 50 can move from a position proximate the apex138, as illustrated in FIG. 6, along the ejection surface 34 and towardthe outer edge 142, as illustrated in FIG. 7. In various examples, thesuspension rod 46 may rotate as the hook 50 travels along thedisengaging exit path 146. In such examples, the hook 50 disengages fromthe suspension support 26 while the suspension rod 46 is disposed withinthe channel 126. In a non-limiting example, the linear portion 158 canremain within the interior 134 of the protrusion 118 (FIG. 8) until thehook 50 disengages from the suspension support 26. In an additional oralternative non-limiting example, as the hook 50 slides along theejection surface 34, the linear portion 158 may move out of theprotrusion 118 and through an outer portion of the channel 126.

Once the hook 50 disengages from the ejection surface 34, the suspensionrod 46 is completely disengaged from the suspension support 26. In thisway, the suspension rod 46 can fall away from the suspension support 26due to the force of gravity. According to various aspects, each of thefirst and second ejection portions 150, 154 may have a thickness greaterthan a space 168 defined by the hook 50 between the linear portion 158and the end 166. In this way, the hook 50 cannot extend over either ofthe first and second ejection portions 150, 154 to be retained in themisaligned position. The space defined by the hook 50 is sufficient tosecure the suspension rod 46 in the installed position 40 (FIG. 4), butis not wide enough to retain the suspension rod 46 in the misalignedposition over one of the first and second ejection portions 150, 154. Assuch, the end 166 can engage the ejection surface 34, and typically,cannot slide to engage an outer surface 170 of the engagement portion30.

Referring to FIGS. 9-11, the assembling surface 38 defines a retainingpath for securing the suspension rod 46 with the suspension support 26in the installed position 40, which is best illustrated in FIG. 11. Invarious examples, the assembling surface 38 is divided by a retentionfeature 174 into a first assembling portion 178 and a second assemblingportion 182. The first and second assembling portions 178, 182 aremirror images of one another across the central axis a. The first andsecond assembling portions 178, 182 may have a lesser thickness than thefirst and second ejection portions 150, 154 (FIG. 6). However, thethickness of the first and second assembling portions 178, 182 can begreater than a space defined by the hook 50 to prevent the hook 50 fromengaging the outer surface 170 of the engagement portion 30 and beingretained in the misaligned position.

Referring again to FIGS. 9-11, the first and second assembling portions178, 182 can slope inward toward one another and away from the first andsecond ejection portions 150, 154. In this way, the first and secondassembling portions 178, 182 slope toward the central axis a of theengagement portion 30. The first and second assembling portions 178, 182can be disposed proximate the outer surface 170 of the engagementportion 30 and spaced-apart from inner surfaces 186 defined by thechannel 126. The engagement portion 30 typically defines guide walls 190between each of the first and second assembling portions 178, 182 andthe inner surfaces 186. Additionally or alternatively, the engagementportion 30 defines a sidewall 188 proximate each of the first and secondassembling portions 178, 182. The sidewalls 188 are disposed between thecorresponding first and second assembling portions 178, 182. Moreover,the sidewalls 188 are defined by the inner surfaces 186 defined by thechannel 126. The first and second assembling portions 178, 182 and thecorresponding guide walls 190 promote movement of the hook 50 toward theretaining notch 42.

In various examples, the retaining notch 42 is defined by at least oneof the base 110 and the engagement portion 30 of the suspension support26. The retaining notch 42 operates to engage the end 166 of the hook 50of the suspension rod 46 to promote a locking engagement of thesuspension rod 46 in the installed position 40. In various examples, theretaining notch 42 is disposed along the central axis a of thesuspension support 26. The retaining notch 42 is disposed proximate theretention feature 174. In various examples, both the retaining notch 42and the retention feature 174 are disposed along the central axis a ofthe suspension support 26. The retention feature 174 typically defines ashape corresponding with the shape of the hook 50. The hook 50 rests onthe retention feature 174 when the end 166 is disposed within theretaining notch 42. Stated differently, the hook 50 is disposed on theretention feature 174 when the suspension rod 46 is in the installedposition 40.

Referring still to FIGS. 9-11, the retention feature 174 is offset fromthe assembling surface 38. As illustrated, the retention feature 174 isvertically offset from the assembling surface 38. According to variousaspects, projections 194 extend from the inner surfaces 186 toward thecentral axis a. The projections 194 extend from the assembling surface38 toward the retention feature 174. The projections 194 narrow thespace for the hook 50 of the suspension rod 46. In this way, theprojections 194 can reduce and/or limit lateral and vertical movement ofthe hook 50 when the hook 50 is disposed on the retention feature 174 tolockably engage the suspension rod 46 with the suspension support 26.

When the hook 50 of the suspension rod 46 is positioned between the apex138 and the retaining notch 42, the assembling surface 38 guides thehook 50 to the installed position 40. The end 166 of the hook 50 canengage the assembling surface 38 proximate the apex 138. The suspensionrod 46 slidably engages the assembling surface 38. Because of the weightof the tub 22 (FIG. 2), the suspension rod 46 and the hook 50 are pulleddownward to automatically move the suspension rod 46 to the installedposition 40. The weight of the tub 22 (FIG. 2) provides a gravitationalpulling force on the suspension rod 46 to promote the sliding engagementof the hook 50 with the suspension support 26. The hook 50 can move fromproximate the apex 138, as illustrated in FIG. 9, toward the centralaxis a until the hook 50 is disposed on the retention feature 174 andthe end 166 is disposed in the retaining notch 42, as illustrated inFIG. 11.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the channel 126, the retentionfeature 174, and the retaining notch 42 are disposed along the centralaxis a of the suspension support 26. During installation, the suspensionrod 46 can be inserted into the channel 126 until the suspension rod 46abuts the retention feature 174. The interface between the retentionfeature 174 and the channel 126 is centrally located in the suspensionsupport 26. Additionally or alternatively, the interface between thechannel 126 and the retention feature 174 generally aligns with the apex138. In various examples, the ejection surface 34 can extend a longerdistance to the outer edge 142 compared to the assembling surface 38.The ejection surface 34 extends to the outer edge 142 to promotecomplete disengagement of the suspension rod 46 from the suspensionsupport 26. The assembling surface 38 extends toward the outer edge 142,but is spaced-apart from the outer edge 142 by the retaining notch 42.In this way, the linear portion 158 of the suspension rod 46 may becentrally located relative to the suspension support 26 when in theinstalled position 40. This configuration may provide for increasedbalance of the suspension system 98.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 12, an additional or alternative non-limitingexample of the suspension support 26 is illustrated. The ejectionsurface 34 can have a different configuration that promotes andincreases speed and consistency of the suspension rod 46 sliding alongthe ejection surface 34. The first and second ejection portions 150, 154can slope inward toward one another. In this way, the first and secondejection portions 150, 154 can include a multi-part slide that slopesaway from the apex 138 and also slopes inward toward the central axis a.The ejection surface 34 of FIG. 12 can define an increased slope anglerelative to the configuration as illustrated in FIGS. 6-11.Additionally, the ejection surface 34 of FIG. 12 can promote rotation ofthe hook 50. As the hook 50 slides along the ejection surface 34 towarddisengaging exit path 146, the suspension rod 46 and the hook 50 canrotate. In this way, the ejection surface 34 can promote axial movementof the suspension rod 46, as well as rotation of the hook 50.

In operation, the suspension rods 46 remain within the correspondingprotrusion 118 until the hook 50 disengages from the suspension support26, or alternatively, the suspension rods 46 can move out of theprotrusion 118 as the hook 50 slides along the disengaging exit path146. Additionally or alternatively, the suspension rod 46 can include atleast one rib 198 extending between the outer surface 170 of theengagement portion 30 and the outer edge 142 of the base 110. The rib198 prevents gas bubbles from being trapped during the manufacture ofthe suspension support 26 through an injection molding process.Moreover, the rib 198 can provide additional strength to the suspensionsupport 26 when supporting the weight of the tub 22 (FIG. 2).

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 10, the suspension rod 46 is configured topivot about a central location of the suspension support 26 whether thehook 50 engages the ejection surface 34 or the assembling surface 38.During installation, the suspension rod 46 is inserted into the channel126 and into the interior 134 of the protrusion 118. The protrusion 118typically operates to hold the linear portion 158 of the suspension rod46 adjacent to the retention feature 74. In this way, the protrusion 118locks the suspension rod 46 against the retention feature 174 and thepivot is created therebetween to promote movement to one of theinstalled position 40 and rotation through the disengaging exit path146. The suspension rod 46 can rotate about a pivot point as the hook 50slidably engages one of the ejection surface 34 and the assemblingsurface 38. The pivot point is defined between the retention feature 174and the protrusion 118. The pivoting engagement between the suspensionrod 46, the protrusion 118, and the retention feature 174 substantiallyprevents movement of lateral and vertical movement of the suspension rod46.

Referring again to FIG. 10, the channel 126 divides the suspensionsupport 26, including the ejection surface 34 and the assembling surface38. The channel 126 extends between opposing outer edges 142 of thesuspension support 26. In this way, the channel 126 extends from thedisengaging exit path 146 to the retention feature 42. The channel 126typically defines the first and second ejection portions 150, 154 andthe first and second assembling portions 178, 182. Additionally, thechannel 126 defines the inner surfaces 186, the interior 134 of theprotrusion 118, the retention feature 174, the projections 194, thesidewalls 188, and the retention notch 42. The channel 126 provides forthe installation of the suspension rod 46 with the suspension support 26by defining the assembling surface 38 and various features for creatinga locking engagement. Further, the channel 126 allows for the completedisengagement of the suspension rod 46 from the suspension support 26through the ejection surface 34 and the disengaging exit path 146.

Referring to FIGS. 1-12, the suspension support 26 operates to realignthe suspension rod 46 when the suspension rod 46 is in the misalignedposition. When the end 166 selectively engages one of the ejectionsurface 34 and the assembling surface 38, the weight of the tub 22operates to pull on the suspension rod 46 by the force of gravity, whichcauses the end 166 to slidably engage the suspension support 26. Whenthe end 166 of the hook 50 selectively engages the ejection surface 34,the suspension rod 46 slides along the ejection surface 34 to thedisengaging exit path 146. The hook 50 continues to slide along theejection surface 34 until the hook 50, and therefore, the suspension rod46 completely disengages from the suspension support 26. When the end166 of the hook 50 selectively engages the assembling surface 38, thesuspension rod 46 can be pulled by the weight of the tub 22 (i.e., forceof gravity), which can cause the end 166 to slide along the assemblingsurface 38. The suspension rod 46 will continue to slide along theassembling surface 38 until the hook 50 is disposed on the retentionfeature 174 and the end 166 is disposed within the retaining notch 42 inthe installed position 40. The suspension rod 46 is then secured to thesuspension support 26 to support the tub 22 within the cabinet 54.

Use of the present device provides for a variety of advantages. Forexample, the ejection surface 34 can promote movement of the suspensionrod 46 along the disengaging exit path 146 to completely disengage thesuspension rod 46 from the suspension support 26. Additionally, theassembling surface 38 can promote movement of the suspension rod 46 fromthe misaligned position to the installed position 40 where thesuspension rod 46 is lockably engaged with the suspension support 26.Moreover, misalignment of the suspension rod 46 and the suspensionsupport 26 can be quickly identified during the assembly of the laundryappliance 10. The misalignment can result in disengagement of thesuspension rod 46 from the suspension support 26, or alternatively, canresult in realignment of the suspension rod 46 into the installedposition 40 based on the selective engagement of the hook 50 andsuspension support 26. Moreover, the suspension support 26 having theejection surface 34 and the assembling surface 38 can prevent improperlyassembled suspension systems 98 from proceeding along the assembly line.The misalignment can be identified almost instantaneously and can beproperly aligned before the suspension system 98 proceeds along theassembly line. As such, the suspension support 26 can increase theefficiency of the manufacturing process, while decreasing manufacturingcosts due to misalignment. Further, the suspension rod 46 can beinstalled properly if the hook 50 is within a rotational range of about180°. This produces a greater margin or tolerance for workers assemblingthe laundry appliance 10. Additional benefits or advantages of usingthis device may also be realized and/or achieved.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a laundry applianceincludes a cabinet frame that defines a receiving aperture. A tub isdisposed within the cabinet frame. A suspension support includes anengagement portion. The engagement portion includes an ejection surfacesloping in a first direction and an assembling surface sloping in asecond opposing direction to a retaining notch. A suspension rod extendsbetween the tub and the suspension support and has a hook forselectively engaging the assembling surface in an installed position andselectively engaging the ejection surface in a misaligned position.

According to another aspect, an ejection surface defines a disengagingexit path for disengaging a suspension rod from a suspension support ina misaligned position.

According to another aspect, an assembling surface defines a retainingpath for securing a suspension rod with a suspension support in aninstalled position.

According to another aspect, a suspension support defines a retainingnotch along a retaining path that engages an end of a hook.

According to another aspect, an assembling surface is divided by aretention feature into a first assembling portion and a secondassembling portion.

According to another aspect, first and second assembling portions slopetoward a central axis of a suspension support.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a suspensionsystem for a laundry appliance includes a suspension rod having a hookwith an end. A suspension support has an ejection surface sloping in afirst direction to a disengaging exit path and an assembling surfacesloping in a second opposing direction to a retaining notch. When thehook engages the ejection surface, the hook is configured to slide alongthe ejection surface to the disengaging exit path and when the hookengages the assembling surface, the hook is configured to slide alongthe assembling surface to position the end of the hook in the retainingnotch.

According to another aspect, an ejection surface is divided into a firstejection portion and a second ejection portion by a channel that definesa disengaging exit path. The first and second ejection portions slopeinward toward one another.

According to another aspect, a retaining notch and a disengaging exitpath are disposed along a central axis of a suspension support.

According to another aspect, an assembling surface is divided by aretention feature offset from an assembling surface.

According to another aspect, a hook is disposed on a retention featurewhen an end is disposed in a retaining notch.

According to another aspect, an assembling surface is divided into firstand second assembling portions sloping inward toward one another.

According to another aspect, a suspension rod is in a misalignedposition when a hook selectively engages an ejection surface.

According to still another aspect, a suspension rod slidably engages anassembling surface to automatically move a suspension rod to aninstalled position.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a suspensionsupport includes a base. An engagement portion includes an ejectionsurface sloping in a first direction. The ejection surface is divided bya channel that defines a disengaging exit path. An engagement portionincludes an assembling surface sloping in a second opposing direction.The assembling surface is divided by a retention feature. A retainingnotch is defined by at least one of the base and the engagement portionproximate the retention feature.

According to another aspect, a disengaging exit path and a retainingnotch are disposed along a central axis of the engagement portion.

According to another aspect, a retention feature divides an assemblingsurface into a first assembling portion and a second assembling portion.The first and second assembling portions slope inward toward a centralaxis.

According to another aspect, a disengaging exit path extends through abase.

According to another aspect, an assembling surface extends from an apexof an engagement portion to a retaining notch.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art thatconstruction of the described disclosure and other components is notlimited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety ofmaterials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of itsforms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining oftwo components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature.Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removableor releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments isillustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the presentinnovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, theoperation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, thelength or width of the structures and/or members or connector or otherelements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustmentpositions provided between the elements may be varied. It should benoted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may beconstructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors,textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present innovations.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired andother exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of thepresent innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps withindescribed processes may be combined with other disclosed processes orsteps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. Theexemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrativepurposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

What is claimed is:
 1. A laundry appliance, comprising: a cabinet framedefining a receiving aperture; a tub disposed within the cabinet frame;a suspension support including an engagement portion, wherein theengagement portion includes an ejection surface sloping in a firstdirection and an assembling surface sloping in a second opposingdirection to a retaining notch; and a suspension rod extending betweenthe tub and the suspension support and having a hook for selectivelyengaging the assembling surface in an installed position and selectivelyengaging the ejection surface in a misaligned position.
 2. The laundryappliance of claim 1, wherein the ejection surface defines a disengagingexit path for disengaging the suspension rod from the suspension supportin the misaligned position.
 3. The laundry appliance of claim 1, whereinthe assembling surface defines a retaining path for securing thesuspension rod with the suspension support in the installed position. 4.The laundry appliance of claim 3, wherein the suspension support definesthe retaining notch along the retaining path that engages an end of thehook.
 5. The laundry appliance of claim 1, wherein the assemblingsurface is divided by a retention feature into a first assemblingportion and a second assembling portion.
 6. The laundry appliance ofclaim 5, wherein the first and second assembling portions slope toward acentral axis of the suspension support.
 7. The laundry appliance ofclaim 5, wherein the retention feature is offset from the first andsecond assembling portions.
 8. A suspension system for a laundryappliance, comprising: a suspension rod including a hook having an end;and a suspension support having an ejection surface sloping in a firstdirection to a disengaging exit path and an assembling surface slopingin a second opposing direction to a retaining notch, wherein when thehook engages the ejection surface the hook is configured to slide alongthe ejection surface to the disengaging exit path and when the hookengages the assembling surface the hook is configured to slide along theassembling surface to position the end of the hook in the retainingnotch.
 9. The suspension system of claim 8, wherein the ejection surfaceis divided into a first ejection portion and a second ejection portionby a channel that defines the disengaging exit path, and wherein thefirst and second ejection portions slope inward toward one another. 10.The suspension system of claim 9, wherein the retaining notch and thedisengaging exit path are disposed along a central axis of thesuspension support.
 11. The suspension system of claim 8, wherein theassembling surface is divided by a retention feature offset from theassembling surface.
 12. The suspension system of claim 11, wherein thehook is disposed on the retention feature when the end is disposed inthe retaining notch.
 13. The suspension system of claim 11, wherein theassembling surface is divided into first and second assembling portionssloping inward toward one another.
 14. The suspension system of claim 8,wherein the suspension rod is in a misaligned position when the hookselectively engages the ejection surface.
 15. The suspension system ofclaim 8, wherein the suspension rod slidably engages the assemblingsurface to automatically move the suspension rod to an installedposition.
 16. A suspension support, comprising: a base; an engagementportion including: an ejection surface sloping in a first direction,wherein the ejection surface is divided by a channel defining adisengaging exit path; and an assembling surface sloping in a secondopposing direction, wherein the assembling surface is divided by aretention feature; and a retaining notch defined by at least one of thebase and the engagement portion proximate the retention feature.
 17. Thesuspension support of claim 16, wherein the disengaging exit path andthe retaining notch are disposed along a central axis of the engagementportion.
 18. The suspension support of claim 17, wherein the retentionfeature divides the assembling surface into a first assembling portionand a second assembling portion, and wherein the first and secondassembling portions slope inward toward the central axis.
 19. Thesuspension support of claim 16, wherein the disengaging exit pathextends through the base.
 20. The suspension support of claim 16,wherein the assembling surface extends from an apex of the engagementportion to the retaining notch.